Automatic configuration method for control keys and a control device for display means, in particular for an aircraft

• US 20100295777A1
• Filed: 08/25/2009
• Published: 11/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus Operations (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS NV)
• Original Assignee: Airbus Operations (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS NV)
• Inventors: DETOUILLON, Gregory
• Granted Patent: US 8,564,536 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/157
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 23/00 Combined instruments indicating more than one navigational value, e.g. for aircraft; Combined measuring devices for measuring two or more variables of movement, e.g. distance, speed or acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof

Abstract

A control device is provided for display means comprising several screens adapted for displaying several formats.

The control device (10) comprises several command keys (11) and means for automatic configuration of a command function for display of a format and visualization means associated with the command keys (11), adapted for respectively assigning to the command keys (11) formats that can be displayed on a screen.

Use in a cockpit of an aircraft.

Claims

1. Method for automatic configuration of command keys (11, 21, 22) of a device for control (10, 20) of display means including several screens, each screen being adapted for displaying one or more formats, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

selecting a screen from among the said screens of the display means;

determining a set of formats that can be displayed on the said selected screen;

assigning to the said command keys (11, 21, 22) of the control device (10, 20) functions adapted for commanding the display respectively of formats that can be displayed on the said selected screen; and

updating of visualization means associated respectively with the said command keys with a view to visually identifying the formats assigned respectively to the said command keys.

2. Method for automatic configuration in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the selection of a screen is implemented from the position of a cursor (C1, C2) associated with the said display means.

3. Method for automatic configuration in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the selection of a screen is implemented from a command key (21, 22) of the said device for control (20) of the display means.

4. Device for control of display means comprising several screens adapted for displaying several formats, the said control device (10, 20) comprising several command keys (11, 21, 22), characterized in that it comprises means for automatic configuration of a command function for display of a format and visualization means associated with the said command keys, adapted for assigning respectively to the said command keys (11, 21) formats that can be displayed on a screen.

5. Control device in accordance with claim 4, characterized in that the number of command keys is at least equal to a number of formats that can be displayed on a screen of the said display means.

6. Control device in accordance with claim 4, characterized in that the number of command keys is less than a number of formats that can be displayed on the screen of the said display means, the means for automatic configuration being adapted for assigning to the command keys (11) at least two formats that can be displayed on a screen according to alternate configurations, one of the said command keys (12) being adapted for alternating the configuration of the said other command keys (11), and the number of formats assigned to the said other command keys (11) being at least equal to the number of formats that can be displayed on the said screen of the display means.

7. Control device in accordance with one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the said command keys are virtual keys of a touch-sensitive screen.

8. Control device in accordance with one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that it further comprises means for automatic configuration of a function for selection of a screen and visualization means associated with the said command keys (21, 22), adapted for respectively associating screens of the said display means with the said command keys.

9. Cockpit of an aircraft, comprising display means (CDS) including several screens adapted for displaying one or more formats, characterized in that it includes a device for control (DCP) of the said display means in accordance with one of claims 4 to 8.

10. Aircraft, characterized in that it comprises a cockpit in accordance with claim 9.